My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and asking deep questions.
a flash of blue catches my eye
ms
a quick flutter on the fence post
always keeping a safe distance
with trills of rich musical notes
a rare sight in this area
at the edge of their range
found in bushy, moist pastures
and roadside thickets
gift of a blue grosbeak
standing tall
ms
ever present to the moment
majestic beauty
I was startled by this heron as I came around a curve. They were standing in water along side of the road and immediately lifted off landing on the other side of the water and posed for me. So, I shot this from my car, hand held, motor running. Only made tone and contrast adjustments, no sharpening or clarity. Pretty much right out of the camera. Shot at 300mm f8.0 1/450 second and ISO 200.
Poetry is one of the ancient arts, and it began as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.
Mary Oliver
One of my first images with the new Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 lens and a major crop.
This image was from a month ago before the cold temperatures moved in. I posted a similar image with a slightly different crop here. As I looked at them this morning I was drawn to this one much more than the other one. Strange how our perspective changes over a short period of time.
On a different note I am excited that Fujifilm has come out with the new XF 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 lens. I’m also perplexed, even frustrated, as I told myself this past year I did not need another lens, that the XF 16-80mm f4.0 was all I really needed. Did I lie to myself?
heading for home
ms
nature provides sunset gift
joyfully accepted
pulled over in empty field
leave with awe and wonder
A gracious mind has compassion and sensitive understanding. It is without greed; rather than concentrating on what is absent or missing, it is able to celebrate and give thanks for what is present.
John O’Donohue, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace
It’s 10 degrees outside. Drove to the natural area for the quiet and to journal. Did not stay long, though. Grateful to be warm and inside. Overcast sky and a few snowflakes have been sited. It has that cold wintery feel. And, it’s going to be cold for the next 4 days or so, very cold. I have coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, a new book of poetry (Devotions by Mary Oliver) and plenty of fountain pen ink. I’m good and giving thanks. Stay warm.
The above image was shot with the Fujifilm Acros film simulation. The Fujifilm website describes Acros as: a recently introduced black & white mode that’s richer in clarity and sharpness, and was inspired by our NEOPAN 100 ACROS film, which was known for its fine grain, rich gradation, and outstanding sharpness. Like the MONOCHROME mode, it’s also available in yellow, red, and green versions, but ACROS also has an embedded graininess that matches the film emulsion original. I like it.
arise in darkness
ms
greet the morning sun
be present to silence
It is becoming quite evident to me that I get the best colors when I shoot between f5.6 – 13.0 when using this Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4.0 lens. I think that is pretty typical for most lenes. For some reason it is more noticeable on this lens or it could just be me and my thinking. And, shooting at f11 gives a much different starburst than at f16.0. I must always remain a student! 
Here is my attempt at a photo of the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. I tried going to both Arapaho Bend and Running Deer Natural Areas for photos but half of town was already there. So I ended up taking this last night at about 5:54:03 pm on County Road 90 between County Roads 13 and 15 in Weld County. Exposure data 35mm f4.0 @ 4 seconds, with a tripod. My first long exposure with the Fujifilm X-T3.